COG and Ministry of Agriculture form a Joint Agriculture Secretariat

Created: 10 May 2017

Council of Governors in conjunction with Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries have established a joint Agriculture secretariat to provide a platform for consultation and cooperation across 47 County Governments.The 2nd Joint Agriculture Sector Steering Committee meeting (JASSCOM) which was held at Delta Corner, COG offices on Wednesday 10th May 2017 was co-chaired by Council of Governors Agriculture committee Chairman H.E Okoth Obado and the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Willy Bett.

Also in attendance was the H.E Daniel Waithaka, Governor Nyandarua County, Council of Governors Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Jacqueline Mogeni, Chairman of CEC Caucus, Dr. Hosea Mwangi, Chairperson of Agriculture and Rural Development Donor Group, Mr Mark Carrato, Agriculture Caucus CEC Secretary Mrs Agatha Thuo among others,The overall rationale for establishing the Joint Agriculture Sectretariat was nested in the commitment of the National and County Governments to jointly pursue effective development of the agriculture sector.In order to implement decisions made by the steering committee, Agriculture Secretariat will be constituted to facilitate the day-to-day technical linkages between National and County Governments.The secretariat will be stationed away from CoG and the Ministry of Agriculture offices to guarantee its independence.During the meeting, the MoUs for the Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP II) were also signed in readiness for implementation.The overall objective of ASDSP II is to support Value Chain development and commercially oriented agriculture. The meeting also culminated in flagging off of 15 vehicles to 15 Counties, for use under the ASDSP II program.Among the key outputs of the meeting included the establishment of Youth in Agribusiness strategy which is expected to enhance preferential entry of youth and women in agribusiness. The meeting also resolved that the Council of Governors in conjunction with other stakeholders holds the National Youth agribusiness forum.It was agreed that help utilize the potential of youth and women as significant groups in society with the aim of sparring economic growth.In view of the prevailing outbreak of Fall Armyworms, the Council of Governors will be enjoined in an Intergovernmental Committee which will develop viable interventions areas that can be exploited to contain the spread of the pest.The Committee will also include the representatives from the development partners who will agree on the holistic approach to counter the spread of the harmful pest.